70 vs. 80

[HAVOC]

Having started dabbling with tweaks on a couple of new 1911s, I see several parts specified as series 70. I know the basic differences on Colt series 70 vs. 80, but I did not know there was a difference in the hammer or apparently grip safety, and it seems to me a few other things.

So which parts are actually different. Will a series 70 hammer work in a series 80 gun?

Specifically I'm intending to get rid of the MIM hammer in a Smith PD. Some aftermarket hammers are specified as series 70, some not? Since the Smith FP safety is activated by the grip safety rather than the trigger, it's not even really series 80 either..?

[MSgt Dotson]

The true Series 80 pistols have different firing pin stops, firing pins, and extractors...

(One can use a Series 80 extractor or firing pin a a Series 70, but not vice versa, due to the firing pin block.

The hammer on a Series 80 is also different, as the old half-cock notch was redesigned as a 'safety-stop shelf', arresting the hammer (in the event of a primary sear notch failure) much closer to the firing pin...

(I was unaware of any differences in grip safety or function, except for Kimbers/SMiths which activate their fp blocks from grip safety activation)

[Biggie]

Dotson is correct about the hammers; I would go with a series 70 hammer.

I believe S&W was using a Chip McCormack hammer, even though they are MIM they are done well

The series 70 grip safety has a wider arm then the series 80, since the lever that deactivates the firing pin block on a smith is activated by the grip safety I would go with a series 70 so you would have a winder engagement area.

I have a S&W full size from the first year they came out, I have left it stock to see how long it will run, I have 10,000+ rounds through it now and it is still good to go.

Good luck with your tweaks.

[bertud ng putik]

i like the 70's